Today’s episode gives you a rare inside look at the journey a Seattle hip-hop artist takes in the ride to prominence. The two guests also put to words the range of emotions many people are feeling as the city of Seattle undergoes a rapid transformation.

Draze, who has opened for Snoop Dogg and had his music appear on hit shows such as Empire, shares how Seattle’s transformation has affected his music and him personally.

You will also hear from Dave B, who collaborated with Macklemore on the hit song Corner Store, performed in front of a sold-out Key Arena, was seen on national tv performing on Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show, and recently headlined his own sold-out show at Seattle’s Neptune Theater.

Featuring the songs “The Hood Ain’t the Same” by Draze and “Sweetest Thing” by Dave B.

“At this city, we’re at this incredible inflection point,” Seattle City Councilmember Rob Johnson told Jeff Shulman in the first episode of Seattle Growth Podcast in 2016. Fast-forward almost two years later and the “unprecedented growth” continues and Seattle Growth Podcast has become a well-known source for perspective on the transformation underway.

Now Seattle Growth Podcast brings its spotlight to the music community in our growing city. The rapid rise of Seattle’s tech industry has had the strongest impact on growth in this city and some tech workers, such as Daryl Ducharme, credit Seattle’s legendary music scene for spurring innovation. “There’s a lot of smart talented people here. And I really am of the belief that its because of the artists and entertainers we have here in Seattle. All that creative energy makes for… smart tech people who are coming up with creative solutions because we think outside the box, we think creatively.”

This season of Seattle Growth Podcast paints a picture of the past, present, and future of Seattle’s music scene. To understand where Seattle is going, it is important to know where it has been. You will hear from people who have played key roles in shaping Seattle’s identity.

The story begins in this first episode of season 4 with a look at the 1990s, an almost universally recognized era of Seattle sound. It was a time when America’s ears were tuned in to our city. It gave Seattle natives such as Pete Nordstrom, co-president of Nordstrom, “a sense of pride for what was happening in our community that we were a part of something that was really a big movement.”

Whereas Seattle had produced many notable musical artists in prior years, the sounds from the 1990s were distinctly recognized across the globe as emanating from this city. With Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Presidents of the United States of America, Alice in Chains, and the Foo Fighters, Seattle was a powerful force in influencing popular culture and music. The industry and fans took notice. For example, 3 of the 5 nominees for best alternative music performance at the 38th annual Grammy Awards held in 1996 hailed from Seattle. Today’s episode features one of these nominees, the drummer for the Presidents of the United States of America, Jason Finn.

What was it like to be a Seattle musician in this era where one could be catapulted from playing Seattle’s Romper Room to selling millions of records? What was happening in Seattle that enabled local bands to take the national leap?

You’ll hear Jason Finn’s perspective on these questions and more. You’ll also hear the fan perspective from Daryl Ducharme, a music lover who worked at Guitar Center during the decade.

The interviews will paint a vivid picture of a unique moment in Seattle’s history that will also give insight into our future.

With musical intros performed by Naomi Wachira, Draze, and Porscha Shaw.